Santa Clara Health & Hospital System: Service Equity Analysis

Quick Facts

Client: Santa Clara Health & Hospital System (SCHHS)

Focus: Public Health Analysis

Services: GIS

Project Lead: Steve Spiker

Project Years: 2008-2009

Client Feedback: “We are very pleased – you did an excellent job communicating our story and we are excited to tell it. They layout is great and we appreciate your cues for more evocative information.”

Project Description

Hospital systems are required to ensure they provide a high level of service to their members, a big piece of this is making sure that clinics or hospitals are within a specific distance or driving time of all their members. As part of a quality review process, the Santa Clara Health & Hospital System (SCHHS) engaged us to help them model and map their member network and evaluate the equity of their service.

Results & Deliverables

1. Medical Data Analysis

We worked with SCHHS to plan out their analysis projects to ensure they achieved the results they required. We spent a significant amount of time discussing objectives with our clients as there are many nuanced ways to analyze and present data, our time spent listening and discussing saves clients time later. We obtained very sensitive membership and MediCal client data from SCHHS and implemented our secure data storage procedures used when clients have HIPPA or other sensitive, protected information.

2. Access Time Research

We developed a complex transit time model for vehicle travel time analysis and conducted an analysis of every patient/member’s travel time, aggregating this information in a way that let the System model their network and make data driven decisions about their service location and planning. We also developed a unique pedestrian and public transit travel model for them- they wanted to go above and beyond the regulatory requirement of just vehicle access, and our assessment of their client base suggested many members with no vehicle at home. This alternate travel model showed them some clear areas to focus on with their communications and planning.

We developed analyses that showed client distribution for specific diseases and procedures at each facility, and then paired this with client demographics and access models.

3. Service Analysis Maps

Our maps and analyses were delivered securely to the SCHHS. Because the data were extremely sensitive and web delivery was not permitted, we developed PDF maps with built in layer management that allowed some interaction and analysis not possible with standard PDF or printed products. Examples shown here are masked to protect their proprietary information.

4. Research Report

Mission

Our mission is to eliminate persistent poverty in the Bay Area by working with partners to transform low-income neighborhoods into vibrant, healthy communities.